A Little Sugar and Less Pain

A small amount of oral sucrose is widely recommended for routine use during painful procedures in young infants.

The Prophet Mohammed seemed aware of the calming effect of oral sugar when he started the custom of giving newborns a well-chewed date in 632 AD (http://www.islamicvoice.com/april.2001/quran.htm). The first report in the pediatric medical literature documented a significant nonsedating calming effect of oral sucrose in infants (Pediatrics 1991 Feb; 87:215). Medical progress moves slowly as the effect of sucrose in infants continues to be studied (JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Sep 29 2010). A recent review on oral sucrose for procedural pain management examines existing evidence and practice recommendations.

Sucrose is sweeter and more effective than glucose or lactose. Evidence of the calming and analgesic effect of sucrose is limited to infants yo…

Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics